A2 Media Studies

1. Website Deconstructions
A2 Media Studies

2. British Colombia Magazine

3. British Colombia Magazine
The layout of this website is considerably simple and easy to navigate. The main body of the website allows for the
dominant background image to be clear, allowing it’s bright colours to attract attention. In the top, right-hand corner,
there is the option to subscribe to the magazine, creating the opportunity for guaranteed readership and allowing loyal
readers to obtain each magazine issue in a stress-free way.
The use of the navigation bar is a prominent tool in any website, and is used in British Columbia in order to make the
website easier to navigate. Areas of the magazine are features in this bar, for example, Magazine, Photography and
Travel. This allows the audience to access the particular area of the magazine they’d like to look at quicker, creating a
more enjoyable visit to the website. The navigation bar is in black, whereas the rest of the page is considerably colour,
connoting that it allows you to go back to basics, and stands out against the background.
On the right-hand side of the page, the website maintains a search bar allowing visitors to search for a particular article
or area of the magazine. In terms of a regional magazine, they may also be searching for an area of the region that they
would like to read about for future reference. Beneath the navigation bar, there is an advertisement, however it is
internally advertising the magazine. This is the advertisement of the magazine’s app that is available on major
smartphones, providing an element of cross-media convergence. This created a convenient and accessible platform for
those owning a smartphone that would like to keep up to date with the magazine whenever and wherever. I will
consider creating a mobile app for my own magazine, for these reasons.
Another feature on the right-hand side of the page is a ‘most read’ section. This allows the audience to view the articles
that are currently most popular, with this popularity suggesting that the article is the most relevant and interesting at
this time, and therefore allowing the audience to easily access it. This also makes these articles prominent, and
encouraged the audience to read it, which may lead to them talking about it or sharing it to their social media, and
gaining word-of-mouth advertisement for the magazine. The website also links directly into it’s region, through it’s
interactive map, allowing the audience to be aware of where the magazine covers and enhances their knowledge of
new findings in their area.

4. British Colombia Magazine
The right-hand side of the page is predominantly covered by a main and example articles uploaded as
blog posts. These blogs, allow the magazine to be up to date technologically, which also allows users to
comment and react to the blog posts. I will consider using blogs within my magazine’s website. The
main image of the main story is considerably larger than the rest of the feature blogs/articles, drawing
wider attention and communicating that this is the more importantly featured article on the website. I
feel that this continues the simplistic and clear layout of the magazine, creating a better visiting
experience and encouraging visitors to come back in the future. This ma also make them more likely to
download the app. The size and positioning of the logo/masthead also is effective through it’s direct link
with the colour scheme.
The use of red within the colour scheme relates to the ‘british’ element of the magazine and red is a
part of the Union Jack, a large symbol of Britain. It also provides connotations of high-class, strength and
fun, which are all positive attributes that the magazine will appear to have. I believe I would like to use
the colour scheme of my magazine to contribute to how my magazine and website are conveyed. Also,
the use of font is clear and concise with a small variety of fonts being used. This ensures the website
doesn’t appear to be repetitive, a technique that I would like to use in my magazine.
In terms of the images of them magazine, both the background and main article image maintain a
regional and local feel, directly relating to the magazine and it’s area and evoking a feeling of familiarity.
Overall, I particularly like this magazine and it’s ease of navigation, attractive colours and fonts and it’s
internal advertising.

5. ABSOLUTE Brighton

6. ABSOLUTE Brighton
In comparison to British Colombia, Absolute is considerably more contemporary, feature majorly on
images rather than text and image together.
The size and position of the masthead/logo strikes you when you first enter the page. This works
effectively as the logo creates this striking image as it’s brand identity and becomes memorable to the
audience. I would like to make my logo/masthead on my website, striking in a similar way.
The use of a navigation bar is evident on the website, allowing for the audience to easily find their way
around the website, and creating a better visitor experience. Both the navigation and masthead
maintain white text on a black background. These colours work together perfectly creating a clear and
concise layout, and also connote that the website/magazine is to the point and honest. I will consider
using a similar technique within my website. Down both sides of the page, there is a cyan-blue strip.
This blue directly relates to the area of Brighton, the vibrant pier and it’s position right on the sea front.
A magnifying glass icon is evident on the right-hand side, alluding to the search bar, creating another
element of easy navigation on the website.
Beneath the navigation bar, there is another off-white bar that includes a breaking-news/top story. This
works in a similar style to British Colombia and allows the audience to just directly to the current most
important article, which will encouraging them to speak of and share it, creating word-of-mouth
advertisement for the magazine. On the right side of the bar, there is contact information and company
information, informing the audience of how to get in contact with the magazine and how the magazine
became what it is today.

7. ABSOLUTE Brighton
In relation to image usage, images are places in various sized tiles to represent each
post/article. This gives an immediate insight as to what each article entails, and
creates mystery as the audience want to know what it occurring on the picture,
encouraging them to read it. Each image is captioned with the name of it’s article, and
is placed in front of a dark, translucent background in order for it to be visible on top
of the image.
In terms of the the images taken, each image is covers various elements of the
magazine and links directly in with it’s region. In the example, there is food, sport,
music, charity and much more covered, communicating to the audience that the
magazine/website offers a range of elements. This conveys that Absolute covers
anything, dismissing any need for a different magazine and maintaining loyal
readership, allowing it to compete with other magazines. I would like to use this kind
of layout and range within my images, however, I would like to include a more
professional looking range of pictures, that still link in to the region of my magazine.
Overall, I really liked the contemporary feel to ABSOLUTE Brighton, and feel like that
this style of layout would fit my personal website. I will use a nagvigation bar in a
similar way and will ensure to make my masthead/logo create a striking feel.